"Attending Weddings in the COVID-19 Era: A Guide to Guest Etiquette and Mindset"

2021.01.16 published

Weddings in the With-Corona Era.

In recent times, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, new behavior patterns have become necessary.

Weddings, which are celebratory occasions, are no exception.

Wedding venues are preparing to welcome guests with thorough measures in accordance with guidelines, such as reducing the number of seats at tables and staggering arrival times.

The bride and groom are also making various considerations, such as changing performances that increase infection risks and reducing the number of guests from what was originally planned.

What are the manners for guests?

This time, we will focus on the manners for invited guests rather than the bride and groom.

For those who have been invited to a wedding but are anxious about how it will differ from previous experiences due to the pandemic, we will introduce the manners for guests in the with-corona era that everyone should be aware of.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ① Temperature Check Before Departure

First and foremost, make sure to take your temperature before leaving home.

While you may be looking forward to the wedding, you need to be in good health to attend.

Check that no one in your household has a fever or is unwell.

If you suspect you may have symptoms, contact the bride and groom immediately to inform them of your absence instead of waiting until the day of the wedding.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ② Masks Required in Principle

Masks have become essential when going out.

At weddings, guests are recommended to wear masks.

However, there are certainly moments during the reception, such as toasting, dining, or taking commemorative photos, where guests can remove their masks and enjoy themselves.

Generally, masks should be worn, and guests should follow the staff's instructions on when to remove them.

Be sure to store your removed mask in a mask case.

Leaving it out on the guest table is unhygienic and can spoil the beautiful table setting.

It is recommended for the bride and groom to provide mask cases to guests as a consideration.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ③ Mask Patterns

Many may struggle with coordinating their outfit for the wedding with their mask.

It is recommended to wear a light pink or blue mask that won't clash with dresses, or a stylish lace mask.

On the contrary, it is safer to avoid dark-colored masks like black or gray, as they may stand out in photos.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ④ Bringing Sanitizing Goods

In the with-corona era, in addition to usual belongings, guests will need to bring sanitizing products.

Include disinfecting wipes or alcohol hand gel in your packing list.

It is essential for everyone to be conscious of preventing the spread of viruses and infections at the wedding.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ⑤ Bring a Selfie Stick

If you want to take pictures with the bride and groom at the head table, you might have previously handed your smartphone or camera to the staff to take the picture.

However, some venues now have rules that prohibit them from holding guests' smartphones for infection control.

Therefore, there’s a possibility that your request for "Please take my picture" might be declined.

Bringing a selfie stick allows you to take group photos yourselves without needing help from staff or other guests, which is recommended.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ⑥ Be Mindful of Loud Noise and Movement

Even if the reception is lively, it is essential to be cautious about moving between tables, bringing seats closer, or speaking loudly.

This can increase infection risks and may make other guests feel uneasy.

However, it’s also undesirable to give the impression that the celebration is dull due to too much restraint on cheering and chatting.

Instead, express your celebratory feelings in safe ways, like clapping enthusiastically and maintaining a smile.

With-Corona Era Wedding Manners ⑦ Express Gratitude to the Bride and Groom

Finally, one of the greatest considerations you can show as a guest is to express your heartfelt thanks to the bride and groom for inviting you.

No bride and groom has gone without worry about holding their wedding. They have faced decisions, including postponement or cancellation, before arriving at their special day.

Therefore, hearing guests say, "I'm glad I could attend!" brings immense joy to the couple.

To ensure that your loved ones feel reassured that the wedding was worthwhile, take a moment to directly say thank you.

Embrace Manners for a Wonderful Day.

We have introduced wedding invitation manners for guests in the with-corona era.

While there are both minor and major changes, let’s all celebrate together with feelings of congratulations, as always, and enjoy a wonderful day!